Brother Ali cuts an unlikely figure for a Midwest hip hop artist. But then the 35-year-old white albino, a Muslim convert who sports a bushy beard since completing his hajj in 2010, would, frankly, stand out in most crowds. Minneapolis-based Ali takes this in his stride.

‘Jake (One, who produced his latest album) always called me “old head”,’ he chuckles quietly, ‘which was funny ’cos he’s a year older than me. But, then, when I was 22 and met (best friend and previous producer) Ant, he was like: “You’re an old person stuck in a young body.”’

Ali’s star has been rising slowly but determinedly since he released his first studio album, 2003’s Shadows On The Sun, on the respected independent label Rhymesayers he shares with Atmosphere (Ant’s main gig), Aesop Rock and Muslim rapper Freeway.

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